Concert brings Avalon, other groups to Emporia church next week

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By Gwendolynne Larson (Contact)

Originally published 02:03 p.m., March 28, 2008
Updated 12:33 p.m., March 30, 2008

For Melissa Greene of the Christian music group Avalon, music has always been a way to spread the Gospel, first in church as a child and later as a calling across the country.

It’s a calling shared by the other three members of Avalon as well as Christian music artists around the globe. On Thursday, 11 bring their talents and testimonies to Emporia.

The We Will Stand Tour, sponsored by World Vision and KJIL, features Avalon and the Daniel Doss Band. It introduces the duo of Cadia and brings Michael English as a special guest.

Greene, who joined Avalon in 2002, describes the group’s sound as edgy pop with intricate harmonies. It’s a sound that has survived member changes since it was formed in 1998. Only Janna Long remains as a founding member. Her husband, Greg, whom she married in 2000, joined the group full-time in 2003. Jeremi Richardson is the newest member, joining the group last year.

“Thanks to God, we have not skipped a beat,” Greene said in a phone interview about the membership changes. “It’s obvious He is not finished with the group.”

Avalon’s newest CD, “Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics” released Feb. 28, is filled with songs originally recorded by other artists. It’s a CD that brings plenty of memories for Greene.

“‘Friend of a Wounded Heart’ was my first solo in big church,” said Greene, laughing as she recalled that a video exists of the performance that shows her with braces and frizzy hair.

Both “Basics of Life” and “Solid As a Rock” have connections to high school groups Greene sang with.

“I had no idea that 10 to 15 years later, I’d been singing them,” she said.

Still, Greene was in her teens when she knew she was going to use her talent to serve the Lord.

“When I was 16, I felt the call of the Lord in giving my life to full-time ministry,” she said.

Music turned out to be the outlet, and after performing with other groups and working on a solo project, Greene was led to Avalon and the current tour.

Thursday night’s concert will begin with worship, Greene said, and will culminate with a “big surprise.”

In between, concert-goers will hear different styles of praise and worship music along with personal testimonies from the performers.

“We pray people will experience God’s presence in the room that night,” Greene said, “and walk away changed.”

If you go

WHAT:

We Will Stand Tour

WHEN:

7 p.m. Thursday

WHERE:

Victory Fellowship, 693 Road 190

TICKETS:

In advance: $16; $13 for groups of 10 or more; at the door: $20; available at Hair Krafters, 1027 Commercial St.; and Flint Hills Christian Church, 1836 E. Highway 50

MORE INFO:

Tour: www.myspace.com/standtour

KJIL: www.kfil.com/1057/